PISCATAWAY — During his first four years at Rutgers, Dave
Milewski spent much of his time in the training room. Finally healthy, the
fifth-year senior defensive end has spent most of his time in the offensive
backfield during training camp.

Milewski, who has torn the ACL in his left knee three times,
is coming off the first healthy offseason of his career. The benefits have been
obvious, as the Sayreville native had 1.5 sacks in Monday's scrimmage and has
been a disruptive force throughout camp.

"He is
such a high-motor guy," Rutgers coach Kyle Flood said. "I think he is stronger
than he's been just by virtue of having that offseason, which would make him
more explosive. But the thing that jumps out to me is he is such a high-motor
guy. He seems to be everywhere on the football field."

Milewski began his career at linebacker, moved to defensive
end as a redshirt sophomore and then slid inside to defensive tackle. Milewski
played in all 13 games and recorded 34 tackles last season, but the 6-foot-4,
245-pounder appears more comfortable back at defensive end this summer.

"I definitely feel healthy," Milewski said. "I think the
summer was pretty good for me. So I do feel explosive, but I still think I do
need to take a couple of strides here in training camp before the season
starts. I have to get my pass-rush game down pat and I think everything else
will start coming. I just have to be able to play a little faster. Pre-snap
knowing what I'm supposed to do, and then stop thinking and just go do it."

Milewski is slated to start at rush end, a hybrid position
with some pass-coverage responsibilities. He can also move inside depending on
the personnel grouping.

In his 10 years at Rutgers, Flood can't recall a player
manning all four spots on the defensive line like Milewski.

"That
versatility is invaluable," Flood said. "I don't even know if you could put a
price tag on it. David is such a valuable guy because of what he does in the
system and his flexibility within the system. But he's even more valuable
because of how strong a leader he is and how strong a presence he is in that
defensive line room."

"That's a kid who plays the game for all the right reasons,"
junior defensive tackle Darius Hamilton said. "He doesn't do it for himself.
David Milewski has a 4.0 GPA. He could be doing something else. He is as good a
guy as they come. He's got a great heart and he loves the game of football. I
think when you mix all those things together, that's what makes him such a
great teammate. He'll do whatever it takes, no questions asked."

Milewski was held out of the morning practice during the
first double-session of camp, but otherwise he has been a full participant this
summer.

"I feel better than I did last year, but still a week into
camp your legs are kind of sore," Milewski said. "I have no injuries, just
nicks and bruises here and there, but nothing serious that I can't take care
of. The legs aren't fully back yet. But we know that coach is very smart with
that and he wants us to be full speed for the first game. They take care of us
here. I have no doubt in the process."

With no concerns about his health, Milewski has been able to
focus on his pass-rushing skills. It's much easier to develop those on the practice field than in the training room.

"When you actually feel fresh out here and you know you can
move at your best, you do get more confidence," Milewski said. "You feel that
you can do a little extra stuff that normally you might not try."